BETHLEHEM, Pa. — An 18-year-old man from Stewartsville, New Jersey, has been arrested after allegedly opening fire inside a South Side Bethlehem restaurant on Friday, August 8, injuring two people.
Ashton Jordan Thomas was taken into custody yesterday, according to a police release. He is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, carrying a firearm without a license, and recklessly endangering another person.
Police said the shooting occurred just after midnight at Sizzling Bites, 312 E. Third St. Court documents detail that Thomas got into an argument with a group outside the restaurant.
He briefly went inside, returned outside, and then went back in while wearing a mask.
Thomas walked around the restaurant before approaching the group near the entrance. A man in the group slapped him, and investigators say Thomas pulled a handgun from his right pocket and fired five shots.
A man and a woman were struck by gunfire and taken to a nearby hospital, where they are listed in stable condition. Eight people were in the direct line of fire, and about 30 were inside the restaurant at the time, police said.
Authorities said Thomas and two others fled after the shooting. Surveillance footage showed them getting into a vehicle with New Jersey license plates.
Investigators contacted Phillipsburg police, whose detective identified Thomas and the others involved. Police said Thomas does not have a concealed carry permit.